White House ‘fine’ with Obamacare provision in budget deal

The White House won’t oppose a provision calling for strict income monitoring of those seeking taxpayer subsidies under Obamacare.

The measure is a small piece of the larger budget and debt-ceiling agreement struck by Senate leaders on Wednesday afternoon. House Republicans had been seeking to defund, delay or repeal the health care reform law entirely, but it appears increased income scrutiny will be the only change to make it through Congress.

The Obama administration had opposed tying major Obamacare changes to the spending and debt-ceiling fight, but is “fine” with income monitoring.

“The income verification provision was negotiated by Senate Democrats and Senate Republicans and is a modest adjustment to the existing Affordable Care Act … We’re fine with it,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Wednesday.